To help both beginning and experienced gardeners, a group of horticulture specialists from the University of Missouri Extension have created “From Seed to Harvest and Beyond: Garden Journal and Calendar.” Donna Aufdenberg, Sarah Denkler and Katie Kammler came up with this idea to help you understand what is needed to create a successful garden.

There are graphs for designing both spring and fall gardens in the spiral-bound book, along with information on getting out in the garden with the kids, planning a flower garden and more.

“The more information you can add to this journal the better,” Aufdenberg said. “It’s helpful for tracking fertilizers, pesticides, what you did in the garden that made it a great year or what happened to make it a bad year.”

Photo Source: MU Extension

The journal gives a month-by-month guide of what you be doing in the garden.

One Missouri Master Gardener in Pettis County, Sharron Unterreiner, says she uses the journal every season. Gardens change every year due to weather and environmental factors.

“It’s like life. We all change and so does the garden,” Unterreiner said. “Two years ago we had a terrible drought; things were different last yer, things are different this year, and that journal helps me keep track.”

The journal also includes information on pests and diseases, flower gardening, tools for rotating crops and tracking PH and nutrients.

While you can find a great deal of information about gardening on the Web, the notes you make in your journal will be specific to your area and your garden.

“Soil types are different. The environment can be different depending on whether you live north or south,” Aufdenberg said.

It’s suggested by many gardeners that you get your garden plans down on paper in order to succeed as well as keep good records.

“From Seed to Harvest and Beyond: Garden Journal and Calendar” can help you do both.